Helpful tips before you build out your new commercial space in Round Rock, Texas!
So you’ve found a nice commercial space to expand your business, and now you’re ready to start the design and budgeting process. The following steps will help you frame the process so you can move forward confidently.
Design – Typically, our customers have a good idea of their desired layout. If you don’t, you can reach out to a local Architect or Designer to start allocating space for common areas, bathrooms, kitchens, and so forth. While it’s more expensive to utilize an Architect, they can often carry you through this process to the point of acquiring a building permit. If you have a good idea of your layout, we can provide drafting services and our partners can finalize your mechanical, electrical, and plumbing floor plans. Your design will need to incorporate a COMCHK and State ADA review with a RAS# prior to submitting to your local jurisdiction for plan review.
Estimates – An experienced General Contractor (like us!) who is familiar with costs associated with commercial build outs, can often provide estimates prior to the completion of your final plans. This will allow you to begin budgeting and preparing to secure financing for your projects. Estimates will be updated once your final plans have been completed.
Plan Review – Depending on the jurisdiction, plan review generally takes anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks. We often provide our services in Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Cedar Park, and Hutto. We have provided General Contracting services in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Dallas, though we primarily work in Williamson County.
Selecting your General Contractor – Your focus should not be solely based on price, but balance your decision based on value and reputation. You should select a General Contractor who is a company (not an individual), has adequate insurance, positive online reviews, sizeable portfolio, and references who can be directly contacted for confirmation of quality. Many General Contractors will “low-ball” your project, collect deposits, then make up their cost with outrageous change orders. DRC, Inc. utilizes a cost plus structure so our fees are set, where costs and accounting are completely transparent. This enables a great deal of flexibility our customers love, especially when making changes or additional work is added beyond the original contract agreement.
Starting the Project – Always ask for a schedule from your General Contractor. An experienced General Contractor has a flow and knows which subcontractors to schedule to keep your project moving forward. There shouldn’t be many gaps in the schedule and if you find your project sitting without progress for more than a week, you should take immediate action. Ask for updated schedules, reach out to your local building department and research your inspection pass / fail rate, and gather as much information as possible to remedy the situation.
Finishing the Project – Your project is almost finished and now it’s time to stand your final inspections. The building final and Fire final are what determines your opening date. You cannot open your doors for business until the Fire Inspection is cleared. Often, your certificate of occupancy will come a short time later, but you can still operate as normal if you have passed your finals and the Fire Inspector has given you the clear.
Warranty – Nothing is perfect. One of the reasons behind selecting a reputable General Contractor is for peace of mind. You will need this during your warranty period should your hot water heater stop functioning, electrical issues, air conditioning doesn’t cool as expected, and so on. Your General Contractor should have locked in their subcontractor into a contract which provides you with warranties which cover any malfunctions within a certain period of time. DRC, Inc. always works with reputable subcontractors with insurance, who have agreed to our contracts, which protect you and your new build out for a maximum amount allowed in the state of Texas.
